Launch
06/2026
Duration
36 mois
Funder(s)
Horizon Europe
Global budget
5,3 M€
The BUILDERS project (Building Up Industry Loops through Development, Evaluation, and Testing of an Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme for Construction Products) addresses the urgent need for circularity in the European construction sector, one of the most resource-intensive and waste-generating industries. Current Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiatives remain fragmented, limited in scope, and insufficiently aligned with the EU’s circular economy objectives.
BUILDERS aims to design, test, and validate robust, harmonized, and scalable EPR systems tailored to specific construction products, in order to close material loops and promote systemic circularity. The project will integrate technical, economic, regulatory, digital, and social dimensions to create operational models that encourage eco-design, reuse, repair, and high-value recycling.
It will roll out pilot projects in several European regions and across various product categories (flooring, plumbing, and sanitary fixtures) to test eco-modulated fee structures, digital product passports, and innovative business models. By combining practical demonstrations with advanced life-cycle assessments (LCA, CCA, social LCA) and behavioral analyses, BUILDERS will generate empirical evidence of environmental, economic, and social benefits.
The results will include tested EPR systems, digital traceability tools, and policy recommendations that support cross-border cooperation, SME participation, and harmonized reporting standards. The project will provide actionable guidelines for regulators and industry, while strengthening consumer confidence in reused and recycled products.
By bridging the gap between political ambition and practical implementation, BUILDERS will accelerate the transition to a single circular market for construction products, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and resource use, and contribute to the EU’s goals of climate neutrality, competitiveness, and social equity.
21 partenaires Européens
